WEATHER ALERT
State attorney says JEA board did not violate Florida’s Sunshine Law
Read full article: State attorney says JEA board did not violate Florida’s Sunshine LawJacksonville’s state attorney said there’s no evidence that members of the JEA violated Florida’s “Sunshine Law” with discussions surrounding the resignation and replacement of former CEO Jay Stowe.
A source said JEA leaders met at an Avondale coffee shop to discuss the CEO stepping down. It sparked an investigation
Read full article: A source said JEA leaders met at an Avondale coffee shop to discuss the CEO stepping down. It sparked an investigationJacksonville’s JEA utility, previously under fire, now faces a new controversy. Board members allegedly violating Florida’s Sunshine Law.
JEA CEO resigns after 4 years leading city-owned utility; interim CEO named
Read full article: JEA CEO resigns after 4 years leading city-owned utility; interim CEO namedThe resignation of JEA CEO Jay Stowe was accepted Monday by the board, marking the official end of his tenure as the head of the city-owned utility after four years at the helm.
‘Morning, Y’all’: JEA CEO sends short, cryptic email to staff amid resignation rumors
Read full article: ‘Morning, Y’all’: JEA CEO sends short, cryptic email to staff amid resignation rumorsA day after the news broke that JEA CEO Jay Stowe is expected to step down from his position leading the city-owned utility — according to multiple sources — Stowe sent a short and cryptic email to the entire staff.
Former Curry staffer says he had no idea about the potential for huge bonus payouts, a continuing theme in JEA trial
Read full article: Former Curry staffer says he had no idea about the potential for huge bonus payouts, a continuing theme in JEA trialTestimony on Thursday was the first time juries heard from a member of former Mayor Lenny Curry’s staff in the federal case against former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn and former CFO Ryan Wannemacher, who are accused of orchestrating what some are calling the largest attempt to defraud the city of Jacksonville.
After Tennessee-based JEA executive resigns, city council president says he thinks execs should come to work routinely
Read full article: After Tennessee-based JEA executive resigns, city council president says he thinks execs should come to work routinelyThe Jacksonville City Council President and the chair of the JEA board both said Thursday they think it’s best to have employees here live in the area they serve.
Tennessee-based JEA executive released from her position just after receiving massive raise
Read full article: Tennessee-based JEA executive released from her position just after receiving massive raiseSome of the people who make important decisions about the operations of JEA, a city-owned utility company, don’t even live in Jacksonville.
Power moves: JEA ready to respond after Hurricane Idalia; Use your generator safely
Read full article: Power moves: JEA ready to respond after Hurricane Idalia; Use your generator safelyJEA’s CEO sent out a video Tuesday morning outlining the work crews are doing before the storm to be ready to help with recovery efforts.
Northeast Florida residents experience power outages as Nicole crosses over area
Read full article: Northeast Florida residents experience power outages as Nicole crosses over areaAs Tropical Storm Nicole makes its way through Northeast Florida Thursday, some residents are experiencing much-anticipated power outages due to strong strong winds and heavy rains impacting the area.
Mayor Curry: Power outages will continue, flood risks remain as storm passes
Read full article: Mayor Curry: Power outages will continue, flood risks remain as storm passesWhile the track of Ian is good news for Duval County residents, Mayor Lenny Curry said Thursday afternoon that Jacksonville shouldn’t ease up in precautions just yet.
JEA CEO says utility aware, prepared for threats from Russia-Ukraine conflict
Read full article: JEA CEO says utility aware, prepared for threats from Russia-Ukraine conflictThe fighting in Ukraine has sent out warnings across the U.S. about a threat to our national infrastructure. From fuel supplies to cyber attacks utilities are on alert.
Jacksonville mayor stresses importance of knowing your flood zone following Elsa
Read full article: Jacksonville mayor stresses importance of knowing your flood zone following ElsaAs crews evaluated the damage and debris left behind by Elsa, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry on Wednesday night addressed the public, offering a reminder that’s it’s very early in the hurricane season.
Thousands in Union, Alachua, Columbia counties lose power as Tropical Storm Elsa hits state
Read full article: Thousands in Union, Alachua, Columbia counties lose power as Tropical Storm Elsa hits stateAt least 26,000 Floridians were without power early Wednesday morning as Tropical Storm Elsa swept across the state.
JEA CEO urges patience if your power goes out: ‘We will respond’
Read full article: JEA CEO urges patience if your power goes out: ‘We will respond’JEA CEO Jay Stowe told The Morning Show on Wednesday that all reported outages will be addressed, but there’s an order to how JEA restores services, so customers might need to be patient.
JTA CEO on gas tax increase proposal; JEA CEO on new direction of utility
Read full article: JTA CEO on gas tax increase proposal; JEA CEO on new direction of utilityJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney guest hosts this edition of “This Week In Jacksonville.”Mullaney sits down with JTA CEO Nat Ford to discuss the gas tax increase proposal. Also, JEA CEO Jay Stowe talks about the new direction of the utility.
JEA CEO announces new leadership team
Read full article: JEA CEO announces new leadership teamThose jobs will include a chief administrative officer, chief human resources officer, chief customer officer, chief strategy officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and a chief external affairs officer. She serves as a Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce trustee and serves in leadership roles on several nonprofit agencies including Leadership Jacksonville, Northeast Florida Community Action Agency and the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition. Each of the announced JEA leadership team members will earn a salary of $275,000. The process of filling the other three roles on the leadership team is underway with a target completion date of July 31. Search firms will be hired to assist in filling the chief operating officer, chief financial officer and chief external affairs officer roles.
JEA CEO: Cost estimate for septic tank project was wrong
Read full article: JEA CEO: Cost estimate for septic tank project was wrongOn Thursday, JEA CEO Jay Stowe spoke about the agreement that the city made with JEA in 2016 to invest more than $30 million to phase out septic tanks in three Jacksonville neighborhoods. Stowe said the city and JEA won’t be able to complete the septic tank phaseout program, citing a lack of money. That means people there will have to stay on septic tanks for the foreseeable future. Neighbors say the septic tanks back up after hard rains in the area, creating a stench of human feces and urine. “We’ve asked JEA staff to work with city staff and revisit the septic tank phaseout plan and determine a plan for moving forward.
JEA to spend $1.6 billion to keep up with water demands of growing population
Read full article: JEA to spend $1.6 billion to keep up with water demands of growing populationJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the population in Jacksonville continues to grow, it’s going to cost JEA more than $1 billion to make sure that water gets to all homes in the area. During its monthly board meeting Tuesday, News4Jax learned JEA anticipates spending more than $1.6 billion to get water to those customers. The head of the JEA board, John Baker says figuring out how to pay for that is the utility’s next critical issue. Besides at $1.6 billion to get water to homes, JEA also has to talk about getting rid of the wastewater that would come from it. That’s going to be another cost the JEA board will have to consider.
New CEO of JEA believes restoring trust is a necessity on internal, external levels
Read full article: New CEO of JEA believes restoring trust is a necessity on internal, external levelsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jay Stowe officially began the job Monday as managing director and CEO of JEA. Stowe said he focuses on three things: public health, public safety and economic development. He calls JEA foundational to the community and believes restoring trust is a necessity both on the internal and external levels. He will work to appoint a new management team and work with a gradually changing JEA board. “The idea of when or whether we need a rate increase starts with managing the systems really well.
JEA’s new CEO: ‘Time for us to move forward’
Read full article: JEA’s new CEO: ‘Time for us to move forward’JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The new head of JEA says the city-owned utility is ready to move forward. Jay Stowe, who was just hired two weeks ago, talked to the JEA board virtually during its meeting Tuesday morning. Stowe did not mention former CEO Aaron Zahn, who was fired by the board in January after the botched exploration of a JEA sale. “We will work to develop a senior team," Stowe told the board. Also, the board voted to spend $2.4 million to buy land downtown in order to build a second headquarters.
New JEA CEO to make $560K a year, will not participate in bonus plan
Read full article: New JEA CEO to make $560K a year, will not participate in bonus planJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax is learning more about how much money JEA is going to pay its new CEO. On Monday, an agreement was released that shows newly selected Jay Stowe will be paid $560,000 a year to run the city-owned utility. Stowe will not be entitled to any other incentive compensation and will not participate in the JEA bonus plan like other employees. Stowe was selected by the board at the end of last month. McElroy was brought in when former CEO Aaron Zahn was fired by the board in January for his role in the failed attempt to sell JEA.
Jacksonville voters approve JEA ballot measure
Read full article: Jacksonville voters approve JEA ballot measureJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville voters have spoken, and they want the City Council to have a say in who sits on the board of directors for JEA. The majority of voters approved an amendment to the city’s charter that empowers the City Council to appoint and remove four members of the city-owned utility’s board of directors. Previously, the charter held that it was up to the mayor to appoint all seven board members and the council confirmed those appointments. Duval County Referendum - JEA board member appointment “Shall the Jacksonville charter be amended ... to (1) grant to City Council the executive power to appoint and remove four members of the JEA Board and (2) amend the qualifications of board members?" The abandoned plan to find suitors for the utility is under investigation by both the City Council and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Board names Jay Stowe as next CEO of JEA
Read full article: Board names Jay Stowe as next CEO of JEAJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – During a Monday night special meeting, the JEA board picked Jay Stowe as the next CEO of the utility. Stowe is the chief executive officer and founder of Stowe Utility Group LLC, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was chosen over the two other finalists -- John Lewis Hairston, the chief operating officer of Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, Oregon, and Morgan K. O’Brien, the former chief executive officer and president of Peoples Gas. Stowe will take over for Paul McElroy who was called in to replace Melissa Dykes, who herself replaced embattled former CEO Aaron Zahn. Zahn was fired by a different JEA board in January following his role in the controversial failed plan to sell the city-owned utility.